Florida Residents Given Capes To Fight Unemployment

A government-supported unemployment agency in Central Florida is in hot water today after it reportedly spent $14,200 to fund 6,000 superhero capes to hand out to unemployed area residents.

It's all part of what's being called the 'Cape- A-Bility Challenge,' a contest in which out-of-work Floridians take on "Dr. Evil Unemployment," a cartoon character that represents the current state of the economy. (The agency also spent $2,300 on foam cutouts of this job-killing super villain.)

Once they enter the contest, they will be provided with a red cape -- while supplies last, of course. The campaign, which some are calling "insensitive and wasteful," runs through June 30.

Workforce Central Florida Director Gary J. Earl has since defended the program, claiming it was part of the agency's community outreach. He acknowledged that some people would find the 'Cape-A-Bility' campaign odd, but that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and that "not everyone will agree on creative strategy."